Pet owners encouraged to prepare for Brexit

15 November 2018

​The States Vet, Theo Knight-Jones, is advising island pet owners to prepare now for travelling to the European Union with their pets after Brexit.

Dog and cat owners will still be able to travel to the EU with their pets after the UK leaves but, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, they may have to take additional steps. The first step would need to be taken more than four months before travel, so anyone travelling with their pet on 30 March 2019 would need to start preparing on 28 November 2018 or before.

If there is a no-deal Brexit, those planning to travel to the EU with their pet cat or dog after Friday, 29 March 2019 will need to make sure that their pet:

has been microchipped;

has had a rabies vaccination;

has had a blood test after the rabies vaccination to confirm that the pet is adequately protected; and

sees a vet for a health certificate no more than ten days before travel

The blood test would need to be carried out a minimum of 30 days after the initial rabies vaccination and a minimum of three months before the pet is due to travel. Therefore, islanders planning to travel soon after Brexit are advised to take action soon.

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, pet cats, dogs, and ferrets would need to enter the EU by a Travellers Point of Entry, which includes commonly used ports in France.

These requirements may not apply if a Brexit deal is made, but pet owners with travel plans are encouraged to consider taking action now to avoid potential travel disruption in case no deal is made.

Requirements for bringing pets back into Jersey will not change.

Any pet owners with travel plans are advised to speak to their private vet for more information about the requirements.